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MEMORANDUM

TO:

FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:

Boston Redevelopment Authority

Edward J. Logue, Development Administrator

February l6, 1967

Reclamation of Mill Pond and Mother Brook

The attached report outlines a proposal to acquire and
reclaim 50 acres of land in Hyde Park along Mother Brook for recreational
purposes. As indicated in the 1965/75 General Plan, Mother Brook is an
important 'viatervay linking the Charles and Neponset Rivers.
Implementation of the Mill Pond and Mother Brook proposals contained in
this report \!ould result in the reclamation of a 2? acre Mill Pond, and
the development of another 20 acres for recreational use.

This proposal is ur^^ent in that private commercial
development threatens a portion of the pond site. Several months ago,
a change in zonini: i-jas requested to allow the use of the site for a
shopping center. The request was approved by the Zoning Commission
despite the objection that the 1965/75 General Plan designates this

area as open space,
presently for sale .

The site, no^: zoned for commercial use, is

It is requested that the Board of the Redevelopment
Authority review this proposal and take it under advisement.

Attachment

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R2CLA1VIATI0N OF MILL POND AKD MOTHER BROOK

SUMMARY

This report proposes the acquisition, reclamation and development
of the Mill Pond area and portions of land adjacent to Mother Brook in
Hyde Park for recreational purposes. The proposal is a part of the total
system of open spaces recommended in the 1963/73 General Plan for Boston,
and is an important recreational link between the Charles and Neponset
Rivers. The proposal is urgent in that private commercial development
threatens the destruction of a portion of the Mill Pond site - one of
the few remaining pieces of water-oriented vacant land in the City of
Boston.

Implementation of the proposal viould result in the reclamation
of Mill Pond with a water area of approximately 27 acres and the
provision of another 20 acres of adjacent banks and stream shoreline
for recreational purposes. In addition to the beginning of a
recreational link between the Charles and Neponset Rivers, this
proposal would extend the southern portion of Stony Brook Reservation,
provide it with a new water-oriented recreation facility, and extend
trails along the banks of Mother Brook toward existing MDC holdings
on the Neponset River.

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Aside from Stony Brook, abutting land uses are predominately-
residential. A city-owned cemetery, Fairview, borders the northern
edge of the pond site, and some commercial and industrial uses are
scattered along Mother Brook and clustered near the confluence of
Mother Brook and the Neponset River.

Acquisition of thirteen parcels of land is proposed. Totaling
nearly 50 acres in land and water area, the assessed value of these
parcels is approximately $107,000. Using current and recent tax
equalization ratios, the market value of these parcels is roughly
estimated at between $130,000 and $170,000. Of the 50 acres,
approximately six are presently in public ownership; the remainder
must be acquired by direct purchase. With the exception of two
parcels, the remaining land is undeveloped. Acquisition and demolition
of one dwelling, one warehouse, and a few small accessory structures
are required.

In order to develop fully the recreational potential of Mill
Pond and Mother Brook, this report proposes several types of improve-
ments. The reclamation of Mill Pond will require the repair of a
dam and the excavation of accumulated silt and fill from the pond
bed. Landscaping will be required in some areas to enhance the natural
beauty of the site. Opportunities will be available for the provision
of facilities for boating, picnicking, hiking, and other types of
active recreation. Assuming eventual improvement in the quality of
water in Mother Brook, the report urges the construction of facilities
for swimming in the pond. It is estimated that the total cost of
improving the site will be $2955000.

If the open space, landscape, and recreational potential of
Mill Pond and Mother Brook are to be realized, prompt action is necessary.
Once filled in and built upon, the pond will never be regained. The
urgency of this situation has required that attention be brought to
this matter in advance of a forthcoming plan for the acquisition and
development of open land in the City of Boston for recreational purposes.

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THE mLL FOm AM) MOTHER BROOK

The 196^/75 General Plan recognizes Mother Brook as an
important watervjay link between the Charles and Neponset Rivers and
recommends recreational development along Mother Brook, Mill Pond,
and the Neponset River to Dorchester Bay. Open space studies
currently bein:, completed by the Metropolitan Planning Council contain
recommendations for Mother Brook as part of an overall regional system
of open space. The Open Space study for the City of Boston currently
being developed by the Planning Department of the Boston Redevelopment
Authority is relating this proposed acquisition of Mother Brook/Mill
Pond to other areas along the Neponset and Upper Charles Rivers as
part of a continuous system of water-related open spaces along the
southern edge of the City.

Until a few years ago, there was a Mill Pond on Mother Brook
in Hyde Park about 27 acres in water surface. A well-traveled road.
River Street, bordered and crossed a portion of the pond, affording
the passing motorist a view of the water. A city-owned cemetery,
Fairview, abuts the upper portion of the pond area, and the southern
finger of Stony Brook Reservation lies across River Street from the
pond site. Other neighboring uses are largely residential, with some
commercial and industrial uses along Mother Brook downstream to its
confluence with the Neponset.

Most of the property covered by the pond area is privately
owned. The largest segment under one owner consists of two contiguous

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parcels totaling 17-5 acres owned, by the Lynn Corporation. While the
ovjnership status of portions of the upper pond area is not entirely
clear at this time, the balance of the pond basin is part of Fairview
Cemetery.

Several years ago, the o\mer of the two parcels totaling 17.5
acres breached the mill dam and drained the pond. Nov) the stream
meanders through a weedy wilderness, and some property owners have
encroached upon the original Unes of the pond with the construction
of accessory structures, and, in one instance, the outdoor storage
of junked cars. The owner of the land to the east of the River Street
bridge has started filling the pond bed, and recently requested a
change in zoning to allow the use of the site for a shopping center.
The Boston Zoning Commission approved the change over the objection
that the 1965/75 General Plan designated this area as open space.
The owner still must apply for a hearing before the State Department
of Natural Resources for permission to continue the filling operation,
under the Hatch Act of I965, for the protection of flood plains.
However, the Department cannot refuse permission only on the grounds
that this land would be better held as open space.

It appears that the most straight -forward method of securing
the restoration and preservation of Mill Pond would be direct purchase.
The property has been offered for sale for some months . The zoning
change which was c^^anted can be counted on to raise the purchase price;
an adverse decision by the Department of Natural Resources would lower
it.

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ACQUISITION PROPOSALS

In order to assure the permanent protection of this
potentially important water recreation area, actions should be initiated
now which i;ill lead to the direct purchase of this land. The areas which
are recommended for acquisition include: l) land comprising the former
pond area, 2) adjacent land which must be acquired in order to provide
access to the water area and for supporting recreational facilities,
and 3) additional downstream land adjacent to Mother Brook which should "
be acquired as a step toward linking the Mill Pond development with other
existing MDC holdings on the Neponset River at its confluence with
Mother Brook.

Acquisition of Former Pond Bed

Acquisition of three parcels totaling 26.8 acres is
required in order to reclaim the Mill Pond. Included among these is the
parcel for which the zoning change was recently granted. During the
summer of I9S6, this parcel was reassessed for $29,000 from a previous
assessment of $2,000. The assessments of the three parcels total
$30,500.

Acquisition of Land Adjacent to the Pond

Acquisition of five parcels totaling 8.I9 acres is required
so that improved access can be provided to the Mill Pond. Four of these
parcels are undeveloped - the other parcel consists of a small house and
hards used for the storage of junlced cars. Tt\'o of the parcels are
already in public ownership. The assessed values of the remaining
parcels total $9,300.

Acquisition of Land Adjacent to Mother Brook below Mill Pond
Acquisition of one parcel and portions of several other
properties along Mother Brook totaling 12.5 acres is recommended in
order to further the recreational usefulness of the do\mstream portions
of Mother Brook. All of these properties are undeveloped except one.
This parcel of four acres contains an old multi- story brick mill
building. While it is presently used as a warehouse for a waste
company, its condition and appearance indicate that it should be
acquired in order to gain this additional land for recreational purposes,
The assessed values of these properties, including the brick mill
building, total $67,000.

Sumnary of Proposed Acquisitions

The properties recommended for acquisition, -with their
assessed values are as follows:

Approximate

Assessed

Method of

Acres

Value

Acquisition

Pond Site:

9.50

$

29,000(1)

Purchase

8.00

1,500

Purchase

9.30

26. yo

(2)

Transfer or Purchase

Subtotal

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30,500

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Adjacent Banlcs:

0.5^1-

$

1,000

Purchase

5.80

Transfer from Cemetery-
Division, Boston Park
and Recreation
Department

1.00

2,100

Purchase

0.62

S,200

Purchase

0.23
B.19

--

Transfer from Boston

Subtotal

¥

9,300

Real Property-

Department

Mother Brook,

do-v-mstream:

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il-5,000

Purchase

2.60

5,750(3)

Purchase

1.70

3,650(3)

Purchase

3.20

10,i+00

Purchase or High-vjay
Beautification Program

1.00

2,200(3)

Purchase or Highway

Subtotal

12.50

f

67,000

Beautification Program

TOTAL

i^7.^9

$

106,800

ESTIMATKi) 14ARIffiT

VALUE

$

130,000 - $170,

,000(U)

(1) Recently reappraised from $2,000.

(2) No record of o^mership or value of this property has been found.

(3) Value of flood plain land estimated at 5^ per square foot for
parts of parcels.

(U) Assumes that current and recent tax equalization ratios are
indicative of approximate true market value.

ilTSS.

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DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS

The reclamation of Mill Pond will require repairing of the
dam at Knight Street and the removal of silt and fill from the pond
bed. While much of the site can remain in its present natural condition,
landscaping will be required in some areas to enhance the appearance of
the area and to serve as screening of adjacent uses . Development of the
site for recreational purposes should include facilities for boating
and boat storage. The banks of Mill Pond should be provided with
facilities for picnicking, strolling, play areas, and shelters.
Automobile access to the northern side of the pond should be expanded
and improved with some parking facilities.

The banlcs of the lower portions of Mother Brook should remain
primarily in their present natural state. However, footpaths, sitting
areas, and landscaping for screening purposes should be provided.
Should subsequent study indicate that the waters of Mother Brook and
Mill Pond are suitable for swimming, the development of small beach
areas and other facilities for swimming would enhance the recreational
•Iness of the area.

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The follovang table indicates the estimated development costs
for Mill Pond and Mother Brook:

1. Repair of dam, excavation of silt $116,000
and fill in pond.

2. Grading, seeding of portions of site $ 17,500

3. General Landscaping $ 7>500

h. Boat and equipment storage, sanitary $ 25,000
facilities .

5. Picnic shelters $ l6,000

6. Boats $ 3,200

7. Paving, viallniays, parking areas, $ 12,700
boat ramps, dock area.

8. Play areas $ 22,500

9. Picnic tables and other facilities. $ 5j500

10. Miscellaneous landscaping, lighting $ 20,000
and other.

Subtotal $2^5,900

Engineering and fees (20'/5) $ k9,l80

TOTAL IMPROVElffiWTS $295, 080

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